This year’s NBA Draft’s No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson and No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler went head-to-head as the Utah Jazz played against the Los Angeles Clippers in Summer League on Sunday.
Though the Clippers beat the Jazz 104-82 at the Thomas & Mack Center, Peterson’s performance earned him praise across NBA communities online.
Darryn Peterson Draws Praise Despite Jazz’s Summer League Loss to Clippers
Early in the first quarter, with 6:15 left on the clock and Utah holding a 4-2 lead, Peterson turned heads with one of the best highlights of the Summer League.
He caught the ball on the wing in transition and attacked the lane at full speed before soaring over Los Angeles’ Baba Miller, who attempted to challenge the play but ended up underneath Peterson, who hammered home a thunderous one-handed poster dunk that shook the rim.
The arena energy spiked instantly, and social media also exploded with praise for Peterson.
“Darryn Peterson poster slam. A big – time jam from the No. 2 overall pick in @NBASummerLeague action!” official NBA’s page tweeted.
DARRYN PETERSON POSTER SLAM 💥
A BIG-TIME JAM FROM THE NO. 2 OVERALL PICK IN @NBASummerLeague ACTION! pic.twitter.com/gVHJkfzLzJ
— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2026
“Darryn Peterson goes around Keaton Wagler and scores the floater over Norchad Omier, then blocks Wagler from behind, and then puts Baba Miller on a nasty poster dunk (with replays). What a freaking dunk,” one NBA fan account highlighted.
Darryn Peterson goes around Keaton Wagler and scores the floater over Norchad Omier, then blocks Wagler from behind, and then puts Baba Miller on a nasty poster dunk (with replays)
WHAT A FREAKING DUNK pic.twitter.com/8oFZc9JdgG
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 13, 2026
“Darryn Peterson poster. Oh my goodness,” Hoop Central remarked.
DARRYN PETERSON POSTER
OH MY GOODNESS. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/gAOLtHLcyp
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 13, 2026
“Darryn Peterson runs pick and roll quite well, under control, and then explodes when necessary. Oh my,” BBALL Breakdown wrote.
Peterson dominated both ends of the floor in the opening half, recording 12 points along with 4 combined steals and blocks.
As the primary defender on Wagler, Peterson limited the No. 5 pick to just 1-of-7 shooting before the break.
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Peterson finished the game with 23 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks while shooting 6-of-18 from the field and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc in 26 minutes. The performance marked his fourth consecutive Summer League game with at least 20 points.
Meanwhile, Wagler caught fire in the third quarter to keep the Clippers competitive, as he poured in 18 points during the period on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range and a perfect 2-of-2 at the free-throw line.
He finished the game with 23 points on 6-of-16 shooting, adding 1 rebound and 4 assists in a well-rounded offensive effort that tied Peterson for the game’s scoring lead.
According to Chandler Holt of KSL Sports, Peterson, Cody Williams, and Ace Bailey will sit out Utah’s second game of the back-to-back against the Chicago Bulls.
Meanwhile, the Clippers will continue their Summer League schedule against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
